What happened to the fishing vessel Lily Jean?

The fishing vessel Lily Jean issued an emergency alert and was later found to have debris and an empty life raft associated with it.

Where was the fishing vessel Lily Jean last known to be?

The fishing vessel Lily Jean was located about 25 miles off Cape Ann when it issued its distress alert.

What were the weather conditions like during the search?

Weather conditions included wind speeds around 27 mph with waves about four feet high, and air temperatures at 12 degrees Fahrenheit (-11 Celsius).

Home / Disasters and Accidents / Body Recovered in Search for Lost Fishing Vessel

Body Recovered in Search for Lost Fishing Vessel

31 Jan

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Summary

Coast Guard found debris and one body during search.
Vessel Lily Jean sent distress alert 25 miles off Cape Ann.
Harsh weather conditions included 27 mph winds and 4-foot waves.

Body Recovered in Search for Lost Fishing Vessel

The U.S. Coast Guard located debris and a body following an emergency alert from the fishing vessel Lily Jean. The vessel was approximately 25 miles off Cape Ann when the alert was received early Friday. The Coast Guard immediately launched a comprehensive search operation.

Search efforts utilized an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew, a small boat crew, and the Coast Guard Cutter Thunder Bay. These teams discovered a debris field and recovered one unresponsive individual from the water. An empty life raft was also found, deepening the concern for potential survivors.

At the time of the incident, sea conditions were challenging, with wind speeds around 27 mph and waves reaching approximately four feet. Temperatures were cold, with air at 12 degrees Fahrenheit (-11 Celsius) and water at 39 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius). Local officials described the situation as a "huge tragedy" for the fishing community.